Co-organized by Istanbul University Faculty of Political Sciences and Turkish Police Academy, the symposium titled Security in Metropolitan Istanbul: Human Rights and Civil Society Perspective convened academics and CSO representatives in Beyazıt Campus of the University, on May 20, 2024.
The role of civil society organizations (CSOs), and their contribution to security and human rights, are thoroughly addressed during the symposium. Dr. Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, contributed to the event with a presentation titled “The Functions of CSOs in Metropolitans”
The symposium offered five main sessions:
- Development of Metropolitans and Security
- Security in Metropolitan Istanbul
- Security of Istanbul, Human Rights and Civil Society
- International Dimension of Metropolitan Security
- The Role of the Police Force in Metropolitan Security
Speaking at the third session, Dr. Mehmet Duman opened the presentation introducing UCLG and UCLG-MEWA. He portrayed the historical formation of the CSOs in metropolitans and their role in cities, from a broad perspective covering both Ottoman times and today’s modern cities. Underlining the population density in metropolitan areas, Duman said, “With their dense population and cultural diversity, metropolitans are dynamic centers for life that reflect the complexity of today’s world. As of 2024, 55% of the world population lives in urban areas. Such a density brings various social, financial and environmental problems with itself.”
Drawing attention to the need for fosterin collaboration and coordination, Dr. Mehmet Duman added, “More-effective use of the sources and encouraging communities more than ever, will make CSO-led efforts more effective.”
Attracting a broad range of participants both from academic circles and civil society, the event offered a functional platform to address human rights and security within the frame of “Istanbul.”